Somersets rise and fall from power Flashcards
What was the council system of government designed to function with?
-a chief executive, the monarch, to make final decisions but Edward was too young
Who emerged as the leader of the council?
Seymour
How did Somerset earn his reputation?
-though his successful campaigns in the Scottish war->placed him in a very strong position
Who had custody of Henry’s will and the dry stamp?
-Somerset and his fellow councillor Paget
How long was Henry’s death kept secret? Why?
-4 days
-it gave Somerset and Paget time to take advantage of the weakness of the conservative party and to rally support among the reformers and moderates for the nomination of Seymour/Somerset as leader of the council
What is the main reason for Seymour gaining power so quickly?
-being the new King’s uncle
-many moderates regarded Seymour as the best means of preserving stability and royal supremacy
-strong/powerful connections->allies with Paget
How did Henry’s death impact Somersets/Seymours power/rank?
-Henry’s death and terms of the will was only made known to a small group of nobles and higher clergy
-during that time Lord Wriothesley made Somerset the head of the council for ‘the better conduct of business’
-Somerset had gained lots of support and power and was made Lord Protector as a result of this
What did Somerset had the power to do to the Privy Council after being named Lord Protector?
-he had the right to appoint and dismiss members of the Privy Council
What was Somerset’s character?
-viewed as a genuine humanitarian and sympathetic to the plight of the poor when he rose to power
-doubts about him had been expressed, interest in social reform, claimed he was an arrogant self-seeker who refused to accept advice and who enriched himself with confiscated church property
How do historians view Somerset’s character?
-a typical Tudor soldier and statesman whose main interest was the war against Scotland and France but he is regarded as the same as his fellow aristocrats
What were the main reasons Somerset fell from power?
-rebellion and unrest in the countryside
-anti-Somerset faction started
->included Paget, Warwick and Wriothesley
-the style of Somerset’s government caused resentment and led to the faction
Who did the anti-Somerset faction include and why?
-Paget (to get back at Somerset)
-Warwick (maybe to increase his own power)
-Wriothesley (opposed the religious changes)
What were the events of Somerset’s downfall? (summarised)
-he retreated to Hampton Court with Edward on the 5th October
-he moved to Winsor castle on the 6th October
-Edward fell ill and claimed he was a prisoner->he abandoned Somerset and stated that he threatened riots if he was removed from power
-Somerset denied this->couldn’t contradict the King so was removed and arrested
How did Warwick gain power and use it to increase Somerset power again?
-Warwick removed opponents so that he had a Protestant majority on the council by January 1550->leading to Catholic members being dismissed -Warwick placed supporters in important positions which further secured his position as Lord President of the council
-Warwick attempted a reconciliation with Somerset once he was secure-> Somerset was released from Jail with his goods restored->his daughter married Northumberland’s son and he was restored to the Privy Council
What led to Somerset’s execution?
-he continued to plot
